Signal-torch.



Patented Mar. 6, |900 Ao.. v. woon.

SIGNAL TORCH. (Application filed Junve 80, 1899.)

(No Muang UNTTnn STATES e PATENT amen.

OSCAR V. lVOOD, OF FOSTORIA, OlllO.

SIGNAL-TORCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o, 644,750, dated March 6, 1900.

Application filed June 30, 1899. Serial No. 722,464. (No model ,'-f'o all whom, LT may concern:

lle it known tha-t I, OSCAR V. lVOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fostoria, in the county of Seneca and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Signal-Torch, et which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal-torches ant. similarlights which embody a casing containing infiammable material and a closure-cap adapted to ignite the inflammable material by qu iekly withdrawing said cap from the casing.

rlhe object of the present invention is to provide improved means whereby the cap is maintained in its proper normal position and also forms a guide tor the cap when thelatter is be? ing withdrawn from'the casing,so that a positive ignition of the inflammable material is insured.

ATo these ends thepresent invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims, it being understood that changes inthe form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction may be made within vthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrilicingany of the advantages of the present invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation of a signal-torch constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is alperspective View of the torch having the cap and handle removed. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line a: of Fig. 2.

Corresponding parts in the several ligures .ofthe-drawings are designated by like characters of reference.

Referring to theaecompanying drawings, l designates the casing of the toroh, which is formed from paper or other light and cheap material, having the form of a tube and adapted to contain the inflammable material 2. This tubular casingis open at both ends and has a closure-plug I5 fitted to the inner or lower terminal thereof. Fitted centrally to this plug and extendinglongitndinally beyond the adjaont end of thepcasing is a pointed metallicy siem or shank 4, and housing said shank is a handle 5, whereby the torch may beheld in the hand of the operator. Should it not be desired to hold the'torch in the hand, the handle 5 maybe removed, so that the pointed stem or shank 4 may be stuck into the ground or other suitable support. y As best illustrated in Fig. 2, it will be seen that the inflammable material is effectively held within the casing by means of a Wad 6, fitted within the outeropem end of the casing and resting upon the surface of said material. The upper peripheral-edge of the casing is bent or crimped inward, forming an inner annular bead or shoulder 7, engaging the outer faceof the wad and firmly holding the latter in position.

In the outer side of the ,casing 1 there is provided a pairof dianietrically-opposite and longitudinal grooves 8', which extend nearly the entire length of the casing andopen outward-through the outer or wad end of the casing. At their outer ends each groove terminates in a slot 9, which communicates with the interior of the casing at a point Within the wad 6. Embedded Within the inflammable material is a pair of matches 10havingtheir heads 11 projecting through the respective slots 9 and received within the adjacent grooves 8. It will bev understood that the grooves-S are deep enough to receive the heads of the matches therein and Within the outer periphery o f the easing, so that the matches are prevented from being accidentally ignited.

The means for igniting'the matches comprisesa tubular cap 12, which fits snuglythe casing l and rests upon the outer end thereof, so as to elfectually protect the inflammable material and also the heads of the matches. This cap is also formed of light material similarto that of the casing and is provided upon its inner side with a pair of diametrically-opposite and longitudinal ribs 13, which extend from the inner open end of the cap to apoint about midway of the length thereof.4 It 1s preferable to form the ribs 13 by impressing grooves 14 in the outer face of the cap, as this is the simplest and cheapest method, although the ribs may be formed in any other desired manner. Each rib 13 is provided with a suitable roughened or friction surface 15, and as said ribs terminate short of the outer end of ICO the cap the matches are prevented from becoming accidentally ignited byaslight movement of the cap.

The casing being filled with the inflammable material, the cap is slipped upon the open end thereof prior to the application of the plug 16 to the outer end of the cap, so that the latter may be forced far enough upon the casing to expose the slots 9 thereof. Then the matches l0 are embedded in the inflammable material, the Wad G forced within the casing, and finally the outer edge of the latter istrimped upon the Wad, hcreinbofore described. After the matches havethus been secured in place the cap is partly Withdrawn from the casing, so that the plug 16 maybe fitted into the outer end of the cap and thereby effectually close the outcrend of the casing. It Will of course be understood that the ribs 13 are alined with the grooves 8 in the casing, so as to prevent idental axial movement of the cap.

Io ignite the matches, it is simply necessary to .quickly Withdraw the cap fromv the easing whereby therougbnned or friction surfaces of the ribs-13 will engage the matchheads, thereby lighting the saine and igniting the inflammable material. As the ribs fit within the respective grooves S and the latter extend to the outer end of the casing, the cap is guided in its movement so' that the proper cngagementof the ribsl with the matchheads is positively insured.

It Will be noted that the matches are prevented from being displaced by the friotional engagement of the` cap by means of the wad 6, and the latter is effectualiy held in placev by crimping the outer edge of' the casing, as hereinbefore described.

l/Vhat I claim is l. In a signal-torch, the combination with a casing, containing.;l an inflammable material, and an igniting` device embedded in said inflammable material and projecting beyond a side ofthe casing,of a cap slid n blyfitted upon the casing, and provided' upon its inner side With a fixed roughened or friction surface, and means for preventing accidental `axial turning of the cap upon the casing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a signal-torch, the combination with a vcasing having a longitudinal exterior groove,

and-containing an inflammable material, of anv igniting devtce embedded within the inflammable material and projecting into the groove, and a cap having an inner rib provided with a roughened or friction surface, said rib registering with the groove in the casing, and the roughened or friction surface thereof adapted to light the igniting device,

and the ribs registering with the respective grooves thereof, substantially as and for the pu rpose' set forth.

4. In a signal-torch, the combination With a tubular easing formed of paper or like light material, havinglongitudinal grooves pressed in the outer side thereof, and containing an inflammable material, of igniting devices embedded within the inflammable material and projecting into the respective grooves, and aV ltubular cap formed of material similar to the ing registering ribs and grooves for prevent-- ing axial turning of the cap upon the casing, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR V. NVOOT).

Witnesses:

URIEL II. Soutiens, .Moon M. Sonivmnrl 

